Hurricane Ike Update From TPWD: Texas Game Wardens Deployed, Some State Parks Closed

11:53 a.m. CDT — Update 2

Below is information sent by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Governor’s Press Office today. The governor’s office is coordinating official communication about Ike for the State of Texas, including TPWD activities. The following information is provided as a service and convenience for TPWD’s audience. For complete information, see the Texas governor’s web site at http://governor.state.tx.us/, or news media may phone the press office at (512) 463-1826.

Regarding Texas State Parks, several parks have evacuated campers and closed due to Ike, as noted below. Other parks outside the area affected by the storm are preparing to accept people evacuating from areas hit by the storm. Evacuees from storm-damaged areas may tent camp at no cost in Texas State Parks, and they may stay in cabins or screen shelters at discounted rates. The latest information is available through the Texas State Parks reservation center at (512) 389-8900 or on the TPWD Web site (www.tpwd.state.tx.us). The public can also phone individual state parks to see whether a park is closed or accepting evacuees.

Texas Game Wardens/TPWD Law Enforcement Division

TPWD has more than 200 game wardens and associated equipment deployed for Hurricane Ike. All of the approximately 500 wardens in the state are preparing to deploy if necessary.

Coastal resources include dozens of game wardens based out of Region 4 (Houston) and Region 10 (Corpus Christi). More than 50 Region 4 game wardens either assisting with evacuations or staging for search and rescue deployment once the storm passes.

In addition, Strike Team 1, a team of game wardens from outside coastal regions, is deployed at a base near Navasota in Grimes County, prepared to enter the affected area as soon as the storm passes and assist with rescues and other aid as needed. Strike Team 1 includes 26 Game Wardens, two Radio Technicians, two Communications Operators, seven airboats, six River boats, one Communications Trailer, and one Fuel Trailers

Meanwhile, heavy rain in West Texas not related to Ike required several rescues by game wardens and others late yesterday in Pecos County. In the first case, a man was trapped on top of his vehicle in rising water in a draw about 100 yards south of I-10. When game wardens arrived with a boat from Ft. Stockton, the water had risen to the knees of the stranded man. Three game wardens and a DPS trooper made the rescue, in a situation described as intense and extremely dangerous. Later yesterday, game wardens conducted a swift water rescue of a young woman from under a bridge near the town of Iraan. Floodwaters have since receded in the area and game wardens there are preparing for possible Ike deployment.